A Circuit from Mardale Head Haweswater
Mardale Ill Bell via Small Water tarn & Nan Bield Pass, High Street summit & Race Course Hill. Kidsty Pike, and return via Kidsty Howes & The Rigg
8.5miles 2750ft ascent
Looking back to Mardale Head car park
Climbing beside Small Water beck on the path to Nan Bield pass
Arriving at Small Water with Nan Bield pass behind. Sadly there are plans to now lower the level of this tarn by at least a metre!
Just above the tarn are these unusual shelters....
....and again in close up
Starting to climb to the Pass above the tarn....
....and again from a little higher with Haweswater behind
Reaching the top of the pass there's a lovely view south to Kentmere reservoir with Yoke & Ill Bell above. (not to be confused with Mardale Ill Bell!)
....and to the north Small Water and Haweswater again
Looking back to Nan Bield pass as I continue to Mardale Ill Bell....
.....and now arriving at its summit 2493ft
A gentle climb continues to High Street summit....
....with a view to another tarn, Blea Water on the way
Arriving at High Street summit today's highest point 2717ft The name High Street comes from the Roman road which followed this route over the fell
A short walk off the summit gives a good view to the high fells further west....
....and yet another reservoir, Hayeswater
I then continued north across Race Course hill which was actually used at one time, once a year, for horse racing!
Looking east down Riggindale to Haweswater....
....and west across to Helvellyn & the distinctive pike Catstye Cam
Continuing across Race Course hill to....
Kidsty Pike 2559ft....
.....where I met these 3 fine fellows who were walking the Coast to Coast path. The gentleman on the left had come all the way from Kansas City to do this walk! In conversation it turned out he lives a stones throw from where the England World Cup team are based!
(Good luck with the rest of your walk guys)
Now on the final leg of the descent...
....crossing Riggindale beck....
....and finding shade under the trees for my lunch
Lunch break complete the final mile was a lovely easy walk
....along the edge of Haweswater....
....and again
When the valley was flooded for the reservoir the village of Mardale was evacuated and buildings demolished. However in dry periods the walls of the old field enclosures and parts of houses can be seen.
Finally back at the car park at Mardale head.
Today was one of the best day's walking of the many great walks I've had this year, and that just about say's it all!!!
